Thailand vs China?
Which country comes out on top for a TEFLer?
I taught English in China for 9 years. Every day I remember something bad that happened to me on a regular basis in China that never happens to me in Thailand. Here is my opinion of the two countries if you put them up against each other - from the point of view of an English teacher of course.
Too old, but do I care?
Postbox letter from James
Continuing along the line of ageism; now in my late 50’s I am still sought after and have a huge pick of schools to choose from.
Look before you leap
Postbox letter from James
Certainly, Thailand is a very much more open and friendly country and the secretive nature of a closed society after decades of communism reflects this, but as in any country, beware the unscrupulous schools/agencies!
Poverty reduction in Asia
How poor countries benefit from foreign investment
Working in China (but maintaining a residence in Thailand) I could write volumes about what I think is “wrong” in China, but I also know that the country has implemented the biggest and fastest poverty reduction program the world has ever seen, and it has been done by going against the advice of most western economic experts and without foreign aid.
The middle kingdom
Impressions of teaching in China
While many in my shoes go off to the Middle East, I first went to Vietnam and then I found a gig in China working as a visiting professor for an American university operating in this country. It didn’t take long after arriving in China to realize that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore
Travel phrasebooks - blessing or curse?
Sometimes a phrase book can be the one thing you wish you had left at home.
I’ve been doing some travelling in China lately so I dusted off my travel phrasebook to make sure I’d be able to practise some useful language and not feel too alien in this country with more than one billion locals.
Bear Hugs
Observations from Chengdu
China hasn’t escaped globalisation. Multinational chains or franchises can be found in every big city and most foreign products are readily available. Restaurants like McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway and the like have become popular but thankfully make up only a small portion of the thousands of restaurants.
